Not football but a fascinating story about the influence of Learie Constantine and CLR James had when the former was pro at Nelson Cricket Club.

Written by Firmo (London Clarets) and the article previously appeared in their magazine in April.

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/beyond-a-boundary

Wow. Impressive, important and moving piece. Tears in my eyes.

COBBLE wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:46 pm

Wow. Impressive, important and moving piece. Tears in my eyes.

I thought it was a brilliant read

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:56 pm

I thought it was a brilliant read

Hi CT, yes, a brilliant read.

Very well written, Andrew Firmin. Uplifting writing.

UTC

Excellent read about a different time in many ways and yet with much similarity to today for many people.

Wonderful article and very moving.
Remember Learie on Sunday cricket on BBC 1 with fellow commentators covering “International Cavaliers matches and being asked which team he would “ put his penny on”

Wonderful piece of writing.

Enjoyed that.

Brilliant article

What an excellent read. I also highly recommend the Small Axe series on BBCi Player.

Great to be reminded of this story and it brings a warm glow of pride to read about the warm reception those two greats received. We’ve always had great fondness for black sporting heroes in these parts despite the poisonous nonsense from people like Darren Bent and other southern no nothings.
Lets hope Lukaku has heard about the story,he’s apparently looking for a new club this summer!

Firmo’s contributions to the BFCLSC magazine are always worth reading as are those written by many other contributors, however the lad has surpassed even himself this time with an effort that ticks every literary box. A great story, spellbindingly told.

...and a quick Google reveals daughter Gloria is still alive at 93. My dad told me all about Learie, he watched him in his pomp in the Lancashire League

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:09 pm

...and a quick Google reveals daughter Gloria is still alive at 93. My dad told me all about Learie, he watched him in his pomp in the Lancashire League

Gloria featured on the BBC programme about Caribbean cricketers in the Lancs League from a couple of years ago.

My dad took me to Lancs League cricket too. He would talk about Constantine a lot but more about Burnley’s early post war pro Cec Pepper.

Firmo always has been an incredibly talented writer. Excellent stuff.

Excellent article. Especially interesting for me as a lifelong Nelson fan. My mate lived in Connie's old house in Meredith St and I lived next door for many years. I have a copy of his Nelson contract somewhere. Thanks for posting.

Yes a marvellous piece of writing, I knew the Constantine story but not the James one. Firmo places this in a wider political setting and context. Imagine Nelson as a centre and hotbed of radical political thought! An excellent early morning read which sets the day off well.
Many thanks Firmo, you are indeed a fine scholar and educator.

Elder statesman wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:52 am

Excellent article. Especially interesting for me as a lifelong Nelson fan. My mate lived in Connie's old house in Meredith St and I lived next door for many years. I have a copy of his Nelson contract somewhere. Thanks for posting.

That’s something to treasure.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:35 am

That’s something to treasure.

I always enjoy reading about Connie, being an Ex-NCC man. Harry Pearson has written a very good book about him that is worth a read.

Hard to believe that Connie was the highest paid sportsman in the country while playing cricket for Nelson.

Brilliant read.

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:09 pm

...and a quick Google reveals daughter Gloria is still alive at 93. My dad told me all about Learie, he watched him in his pomp in the Lancashire League

I think that applies to a lot of people of my age in and around East Lancs. My dad certainly waxed lyrical about him.